By a largely bipartisan vote of 361-61, the House has approved the conference report to H.R.6157, a “minibus” measure that allocates $39.1 billion to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in consolidated legislation covering fiscal year (FY) 2019 spending for the Departments of Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and related agencies.

The bill, which was passed by the House on September 26, 2018, also comprises a continuing resolution that would fund the rest of the government through December 7.

The measure adds $2 billion to the annual NIH budget, a 5.4 percent increase over its FY 2018 appropriation, and was passed before the beginning of the new fiscal year for the first time in 22 years.

"Today marks a victory in a return to regular order," said Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), chair of the House Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies, on the House floor to mark the significance of the vote.

After last week’s Senate approval, the bill is now cleared for President Trump’s signature, which he must sign by September 30 to avert a federal government shutdown.